Surnames

In 2009, the WCGS published Wilson County’s Founding Families, a compilation of the 363 families with a sustained residence in the area that became Wilson County in 1855. The listings include the members of the households found in at least two consecutive census records between 1850 (in the parent counties of Wilson County) and 1870, extended to 1880 for African-Americans. Included is a description of each family unit with that surname, the townships in which the family lived, and when it could be determined, their origin, how and where they immigrated, and their arrival in North Carolina.

The material included in the family narratives is a compilation of census and marriage information supported by wills, land, and other court records. About seventy-five members and friends of the Wilson County Genealogical Society contributed the research of their family histories that has been included. Most of the family descriptions compiled by the editors came from abstracts that have been published. Some information was found on the Internet. A diligent effort was made to be accurate; however, since the original records were not used and some data included was circumstantial, mistakes may have been made.

The following list of surnames have been confirmed as Founding Families of Wilson County and are included in the WCFF volume, which may be purchased online.